The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-02-04
CHAPTER ".

1t may be as you say, but, my darling
girl, If you would only listen to rea.
son, p
II can't bear reason, as you ought to
know by this time, and don't think that
Is very correct way to address q girl
who 10 engaged to be marriedr'
"A very correct way when she is en-.
gagged to the wrong man"
"Do you think you are the right onrsr
demands she saucily.
II don't think it, know ii, says he.
"Such knowledge is, no doubt. fun of
comfort retorts she.
Drip-drip-go the fountains indoors,
where they are sitting, behind the cool
evcrgreenS in the largest conservatory.
Plash-plash--go the larger ones in the
Illuminated gardens outside. From some
where beyond comes to them the last
dying bars OF adreamy waltz-all around
them the air is heavy with the breath of
sleeping flowers Massareene leaning
forward, lays his hand on hers.
| wish you would think of it, Mill
cent" he says, in low tone.
"Of whaty Ny aunt's indignation? nv
uncle's contempt? the combined wrath of
my entire family
"No, OF fiinging Off the bands that
now bind you, and Of love and happiness
with me.
"Would 1t be happiness'" she sighs
impatiently, and then shuts up her large
fan with an angry click. 81 tell you il
Is not to be thought Of, she says pres
entity, "Things have gone too far for any
change TO be now made. My marriage
with my cousin Grant, Boyle is as much
a fait accompli as il we had stood, he and
!, before my Lord Bishop"
You can talk very coolly of it, 1t
can't, after all, be SO very displeasing to
you, this idea of marrying a man you
profess not TO love- says the young man
beside her, regarding her with afTronted
eyes. He rises quickly from his seat and
goes good way from her, leaning against
marble pedestal that stands in one cor
ner
Don't pose" says Miss Grey calmly;
"l'm not photographer And don't talk
nonsense either. ! am not one of the
hysterical sort, and can certainly talk
coolly OF this marriage that is being
forced upon me. have had time to grow
calm over it, you must remember, as we
were betrothed 10 each other when |
was almost II little baby in white muslin
and blue ribbons. 1t was in white mus
lin then" says she with little curious
laugh; "now / ought to be In sackcloth
and ashes. | feel so bad.n
And he'" demands her companion
with an effort
Wears his sacrflcial wreaths with
quite jaunty air, | am an heiress. |
would have you remainder, my good sir
Grant Boyle is wise in his own genera
tion.n
Hes mighty poor lot, to my way of
thinking" says Mr.. Massareene, in high
disgust. Sometimes his Irish breeding
makes breach through his English edu-
cation. Don't mention his name to me
Il can't bear to hear it,.
II don't believe it would cause me
much OF pang We're | never again to
hear 1t myself" returns Miss Grey, who,
II candor be virtue, is poss sssed of il to
an extraordinary degree
After this little silence reigns be-
tween them, then;
hSurely you ara not mad enough to
think you will be happy with himin
says Massareene excitedly "He'u be
the death OF you, Looks like a man who
would break woman's heart. After
all supposing you do quarrel with your
people-what thenPi
Then ! should not only forfeit their
esteem, which, after alln-with a swift
glance at him from under her long
lashes-'means good deal TO me, but
] should cease 10 be auntie's heiress, and
have my name struck out of Uncle Timo-
thy's viii All that, my dear Gerald.